Continue in the Faith Grounded and Settled

Continue  •   Sermon   •Submitted 3 years ago

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Saddest Words

Several famous people were asked what they felt was the saddest word in the English language. Here's what some of them said. Poet T.S. Eliot: "The saddest word in the English language is, of course, 'saddest.'" Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II: "But." Writer John Dos Passos quoted John Keats: "Forlorn! the very word is like a bell." Psychiatrist Karl Menninger: "Unloved." Statesman Bernard M. Baruch: "Hopeless." President Harry Truman quoted John Greenleaf Whittier: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" Alexandra Tolstoi: "The saddest word in all languages, which has brought the world to its present condition, is 'atheism.'"

Put all of these answers together and you have a faint picture of a soul without Christ. I think of that word which Keats used so dramatically—"forlorn." It is the English form of the Dutch word verloren, which means "lost." But the Word of God, through the apostle Paul, gives the ultimate description, "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12)

Enemies — hating God, actively hostile to God

The enmity of their minds led to wicked works. Both in attitude and action, they were at war with God. "Because the carnal mind [the mind of the unbeliever] is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). This explains why the unbeliever must repent—change his mind—before he can be saved.

Present — 'present' becomes almost equivalent to make, render

'present' becomes almost equivalent to make, render

Blameless — to being without fault and therefore morally blameless, blameless

to being without fault and therefore morally blameless, blameless

Presented Beyond Reproach

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The purpose of this reconciliation is personal holiness. God does not make peace (Col. 1:20) so that we can continue to be rebels! He has reconciled us to Himself so that we may share His life and His holiness. We are presented to God "holy and unblameable and unreproveable" (Col. 1:22)

ILLUSTRATION: The Transformed Man

The Robber

When evangelist John Wesley (1703–1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature.

As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something more to give you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'" The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.

Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! "I owe it all to you," said the transformed man. "Oh no, my friend," Wesley exclaimed, "not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!"

Our Daily Bread, October 1, 1994

And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven

Three keys to being true to the faith:

Continue — to continue, persist, persevere

What's going to happen to American Christianity when it is no longer convenient to be a Christian?

Perseverance

Josef Gabor grew up in Czechoslovakia when it was dominated by communism, and religion was despised as weakness. His father taught communist doctrine classes. But Josef's mother, who believed in Jesus Christ, took Josef and his brother with her to church.

They got up early each Sunday morning and took a 3-hour train ride to Prague. Then they walked to the church and sat through a 2 1/2-hour service. After eating lunch in a nearby park, they returned to church for another 2 1/2-hour meeting. Then they took the 3-hour ride home.

Today Josef Gabor is a missionary to his own people in Czechoslovakia. When he tells about going to church as a child, his eyes fill with tears of gratitude for a mother who cared enough about his spiritual welfare to help him come to know and serve Christ.

Daily Walk, July 11, 199

ILLUSTRATION: The great Christian men and women of the past are known by us today because they continued! They persevered.

William Carey

William Carey, often considered the father of modern missions, once wrote: "If, after my removal, anyone should think it is worth his while to write my life, I will give you a criterion by which you may judge of its correctness. If he give me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly…I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit."

Today in the Word, April, 1998, p. 33

(Continuing in the Faith)

Grounded & Settled in the Faith

Grounded — to provide a secure basis for the inner life and its resources, establish, strengthen

to provide a secure basis for the inner life and its resources, establish, strengthen

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

(Continuing in the Faith)

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you .

(Continuing in the Faith)

(Grounded & Settled in the Faith)

Not moved away from the hope — without shifting from the hope

Famous Athiest

A little over a month before he died, the famous atheist Jean-Paul Sartre declared that he so strongly resisted feelings of despair that he would say to himself, "I know I shall die in hope." Then in profound sadness, he would add, "But hope needs a foundation."

Our Daily Bread, April 17, 1995

Paul used an architectural image in this verse—a house, firmly set on the foundation. The town of Colossae was located in a region known for earthquakes, and the word translated "moved away" can mean "earthquake stricken." Paul was saying, "If you are truly saved, and built on the solid foundation, Jesus Christ, then you will continue in the faith and nothing will move you. You have heard the Gospel and trusted Jesus Christ, and He has saved you."

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood, and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

What are you putting your hope in?

Everything changes, but Jesus Christ never changes!

Quote — We are not saved by continuing in the faith. But we continue in the faith and thus prove that we are saved. — Wiersbe

we are not saved by continuing in the faith. But we continue in the faith and thus prove that we are saved.

whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

My Sufferings — that which is suffered or endured, suffering, misfortune

that which is suffered or endured, suffering, misfortune

Note — Paul was currently a prisoner in Rome

Statement — When we suffer for the cause of Christ, we can rejoice that He has counted us worthy!

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them , they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel. Although his captors smashed four of his vertebrae and either cut or burned 18 holes in his body, they could not defeat him. He testified, "Alone in my cell, cold, hungry, and in rags, I danced for joy every night." During this time he turned to a fellow prisoner, a man he had led to the Lord before they were arrested, and asked, "Have you any resentment against me that I brought you to Christ?" His response: "I have no words to express my thankfulness that you brought me to the wonderful Savior. I would never have it another way." These two men exemplify the supernatural joy that can be experienced by believers who live on the edge of death as the result of being severely persecuted.

Salvation, which brings strength for today and hope for tomorrow, lasts forever. Therefore, we don't have to be defeated by troublesome circumstances. When we know we are saved, we have the assurance that God is at work in our lives, preparing us for the eternal realities of the better world.

(Rejoicing in Sufferings)

Minister — one who serves as an intermediary in a transaction, agent, intermediary, courier

one who serves as an intermediary in a transaction, agent, intermediary, courier

Quote — Paul did not ask, as do some believers. "What will I get out of it?" Instead he asked, "How much will God let me put into it?" The fact that Paul was a prisoner did not stop him from ministering to the church.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 121). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Are you ready to serve the Christ that has called you?

Are you actively seeking new ways to fulfill the role He's given you?

(Rejoicing in Sufferings)

Preach — make known in public, proclaim, announce

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Warning & teaching every man

Have you reached everyone with the gospel yet?

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

His Working — word we get "energy" from, God is actively energizing our efforts

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Presented Beyond Reproach

Grounded & Settled in the Faith

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Source: https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/385692-continue-in-faith

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